(925) 228-2550
ABOUT US
OLIVER W. BRAY, ESQ.
Managing Partner
As a Certified Specialist in Estate, Trust and Probate Law, skilled litigator and accomplished mediator, Oliver is able to draw on his extensive interdisciplinary qualifications to provide comprehensive and strategic approaches to his practice of law.
Oliver’s practice concentrates on litigation, particularly cases involving will and trust disputes, trustees and conservatorships. Additionally, he has specialized in representing professional fiduciaries in probate, trust and conservatorship proceedings since 1985.
With his nearly 40 years of experience, he has served as Administrator and Trustee on several complex estates, and is frequently appointed by the Court as counsel on the complex panel for incompetent and disabled persons.
Oliver is a standing board member of the Contra Costa Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Probate Section.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
- Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law – State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Often Court-appointed as Guardian ad Litem & 639 Referee on complex conservatorship & trust matters
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:
- Co-Chair, Contra Costa County Bar Association, Trusts &
Estates Section
- Director, Contra Costa County Bar Association 2007-2011,
2013-2015
- Board Member, Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
- Director, Contra Costa County Historical Society
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- California State Bar Trust & Estates Section
- East Bay Trust and Estates Lawyers (EBTEL)
EDUCATION:
- J.D., John F. Kennedy University School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- California State Bar
- Northern District of California –
U.S. District Courts
RECOGNITION:
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
- Super Lawyers, 2006 – present
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP:
- Research Attorney Fellowship with Hon. John H. Sugiyama,
Superior Court of Contra Costa County, Probate Department
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:
- Board Member, CCCBA, Elder Law Section
- Board Member, CCCBA, Trusts & Estates Section
- Committee Member, CCCBA, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- California State Bar, Trusts & Estates Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Elder Law Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Barristers Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Women's Section
- Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
- East Bay Trust and Estates Lawyers (EBTEL)
- Robert G. McGrath Inn of Court
- Iranian American Bar Association, Northern California Chapter
MONA NIA, ESQ.
Partner
Mona joined the firm in 2017 as an associate attorney and became a partner in January of 2021. Her practice concentrates on all areas of estate planning, conservatorships, probate, and trust and estate litigation.
As a legal intern with the Contra Costa County Probate Department, she gained extensive experience assisting with drafting judicial orders, presenting ex parte petitions in chambers, and assisting the probate examiners with the preparation of tentative rulings.
Prior to joining the firm, Mona's past experience included working for boutique law firms in Walnut Creek and San Francisco, focusing on family law litigation and complex estate planning. She is an active member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association Trust and Estates Section and a standing board member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association Elder Law Section.
As a graduate of the University of California, Davis, Mona received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis on Political Theory. She went on to earn her J.D. from Golden Gate University, School of Law, obtaining degree specializations in Family Law and Public Interest Law. Mona is near completion of the Master of Laws program specializing in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
EDUCATION:
- LL.M., Estate Planning, Trust, & Probate Law
Golden Gate University, School of Law (pending, anticipated in Fall of 2022)
- J.D., Golden Gate University, School of Law
- B.A., in Political Science,
University of California, Davis
BAR ADMISSION:
California State Bar
LUCILE K. CAIN, ESQ.
Associate Attorney
Lucy’s practice concentrates on the areas of estate planning, conservatorships, and trust and estate litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she gained many years of experience before and during law school working for law firms in Walnut Creek in the areas of probate litigation and estate administration.
Additionally, she is a trained Mediator and has observed and mediated conflicts for the Superior Court of Contra Costa County.
As a graduate of the University of California, Davis, Lucy received her bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Japanese, with high honors.
Lucy went on to earn her J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law, King Hall. She had the honor of receiving the Dean's Merit Scholarship for all three years of her legal education. During her time at King Hall, she served as the Senior Articles Editor of the Environmental Law and Policy Journal.
As a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County, she is proud to continue to serve the community through her work with this firm.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- California State Bar, Trusts and Estates Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Elder Law Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Barristers Sections
- Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
- East Bay Trust and Estates Lawyers (EBTEL)
SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Certificate
ELLIOTT C. T. BRAY, ESQ.
Associate Attorney
Elliott's interests are in the areas of trust and estate litigation, elder abuse, probate and conservatorships.
During law school, he gained specialized experience interning with the Contra Costa County Probate Department working closely with the probate judges and probate examiners.
As a graduate of the University of Redlands, Elliott received his bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis. During his time there, he led the Redlands Mock Trial Team.
Elliott went on to earn his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings, College of Law. During his time at Hastings, he served as an active member of the Medical Legal Partnership for Seniors Clinic working closely with the medical staff at UCSF and the San Francisco Veteran's Administration.
Elliott received an Outstanding Achievement Award for providing pro bono estate planning and elder abuse services to elders and veterans through his work with the clinic. He has been featured by UC Hastings on their pro bono page.
Prior to graduating from law school, Elliott also spent his summers interning for this firm and received hands-on experience working with our clients.
EDUCATION:
- J.D., University of California, Hastings, College of Law
- B.A., in Public Policy Anaylsis,
University of Redlands
BAR ADMISSION:
California State Bar
WENDY L. KOERBER
Legal Assistant
Wendy has been a legal assistant with this firm since 1983. With her 40 years of experience, she specializes in drafting estate planning documents, complex deeds, and assessor forms. Wendy also assists with the preparation of all probate, conservatorship, and guardianship Judicial Council forms. She further assists with drafting pleadings for accountings, reports, and notices.
Wendy was born in London England, grew up in Martinez, California and has raised her family here.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
Notary Public
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Member, Contra Costa County Legal Professionals Association
(Former Secretary)
SHANNON K. PERRY
Legal Assistant
Prior to joining this firm, Shannon worked for Contra Costa County and the Superior Court of Contra Costa County for 38 ½ years.
She was assigned as the courtroom clerk to the Probate Department in 2000 and continued her longstanding career in that assignment for 21 years. During her time in the Probate Department, she assisted judges with their daily hearings and trials regarding estates, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, name changes, and parental terminations.
With her wealth of knowledge and experience, she assists our office with the preparation of estate planning documents, discovery, and trial preparation.
Shannon currently resides in Martinez, California. In her spare time she plays billards, reads science fiction novels, and enjoys cinemas.